Coffee Triangle

West of Bogota, straddling the lush forested slopes of the Andes, Colombia’s famous Coffee Triangle spans three departments – Quindío, Riseralda and Caldas – and produces arguably the finest coffee in the world.

Yet not only do the lush valleys provide the perfect conditions for coffee they also showcase a dizzying array of beautiful landscapes. Glacier topped mountains of the Los Nevados National Park plunge into steamy cloud-forest while the Cocora Valley is dominated by towering palm trees. Elsewhere, picturesque rolling hills are punctuated by colourful “finca” farmhouses and coffee plantations painted red just before harvest. Not surprisingly, the Coffee Triangle has become one of Colombia’s most popular tourist attractions, an area steeped in history and tradition. Iconic “willy” jeeps flit along the mountain roads between the colourful villages of Salento and Finlandia and best of all, traditional “fincas” have thrown open their doors to tourism. For visitors, there is so much to see and do. The national parks offer wonderful walking and riding, the cloudforest teems with wildlife and the coffee estates offer a unique insight into Colombia’s rich coffee culture.

Coffee Triangle Hotels

Hacienda San Jose$$$$

Beautifully restored, Hacienda San Jose retains its historic character throughout. Antique furniture melds with polished wooden floors and charming family heirlooms while graceful balconies are cloaked in bougainvillea and topical flowers. Downstairs, tables spill onto an open verandah that runs the length of the house, an ideal spot for enjoying afternoon tea. There are 11 formal guestrooms and suites all awash with classic furniture and fittings from the carved wooden headboards to the anti...